Wed

A junior football club near Aylesbury has been handed a summer boost receiving £750 from a regional housebuilder which will help the club strive to achieve its goals.

Aston Clinton Colts JFC is one of the first UK winners of Persimmon Homes’ Healthy Communities campaign.

The scheme will see Persimmon give away more than £600,000 to sporting causes across the UK over 10 months, with an overall top national prize of £200,000 in addition to numerous regional donations.

The football club was chosen by Persimmon Homes North London, which has its headquarters in Maidenhead, to receive the donation, which will go towards improving the club.

Di Waller, spokeswoman for the club, said: “We were delighted when we heard that we had been selected to receive the money. We have three teams who need new kit and the money will also go towards new equipment, as well as helping with coaching qualifications and development so that we can aim to become standard chartered.

“Our ultimate goal is to buy a piece of land so that we have enough pitches to play on, as we continue to grow in teams. The money will really put us in great shape for the next season.”

A host of regional prizes of £750 are up for grabs each month for the rest of 2017, with amateur sports teams and individuals aged 21 years and under across the region eligible to apply for the Persimmon Homes North London awards. The money is to be spent on sports kit, equipment, coaching or facilities.

A shortlist of 30 will then be created for a national final to be decided on a public vote, with the winning club or individual receiving £200,000 to create a long-lasting legacy and two runners-up receiving £50,000 each.

Claire Brooks-McGoldrick, sales manager for Persimmon Homes North London, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Aston Clinton Colts as it is easy to see how the money will really help them.

“Everyone who enters, regardless of whether they win a monthly prize, will be considered as a national finalist.

“We are looking for sports teams and individuals who have amazing ideas on how to spend £200,000 to come forward. We will consider anything from new clubhouses, to training centres, facilities or gyms or it may be people want to spend the cash on the development of future Olympians. We’re very excited to see the projects that are put forward.”